Posts Tagged ‘acquisition announcement’

Acquisition Announcement: THE LAST VIGILANT by Mark A. Latham

Mark A. LathamCorruption plagues the land. Children are disappearing from their homes. These are dark times. Only the legendary Vigilants can bring salvation, and they haven’t been seen in decades. But when a soldier investigating dead ends in a backwater town finds himself face-to-face with the last member of the ancient order, he realizes that she could be the answer he’s looking for. If only he can convince her to help…

We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Last Vigilant by Mark A. Latham, the first book in a gripping new epic fantasy trilogy. Perfect for fans of The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan and The Pariah by Anthony Ryan, this fantasy mystery is packed with ancient magic, intricate conspiracies, and unforgettable characters. We can’t wait to bring you The Last Vigilant in early 2025—in the meantime, please join us in welcoming Mark A. Latham to Orbit!

Read on for a taste of what’s in store:

 

Shunned by the soldiers he commands, haunted by past tragedies, Sargent Holt Hawley is a broken man. But the child of a powerful ally has gone missing, and war between once peaceful nations is on the horizon. So, he and his squad have been sent to find a myth: the Vigilant. They are a rumored last survivor of an ancient order capable of performing acts of magic, and they’ve been lost to the world for decades. No one truly expects Hawley to succeed.

When he is forced to abandon his men, he stumbles upon a woman who claims to be the Last Vigilant. Enelda Drake is wizened and out of practice, and she seems a far cry from the heroes of legend. But they will need her powers, and each other, to survive. For nothing in the town of Scarfell is as it seems. Corrupt soldiers and calculating politicians thwart their efforts at every turn.

And there are dark whispers on the wind threatening the arrival of an ancient and powerful enemy. The Last Vigilant is not the only myth returning from the dead.

 

Mark A. Latham is a writer, editor, history nerd, proud dogfather, frustrated grunge singer and amateur baker from Staffordshire, UK. An immigrant to rural Nottinghamshire, he lives in a very old house (sadly not haunted), and is still regarded in the village as a foreigner. 

Formerly the editor of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf magazine, Mark is now a full-time writer and narrative consultant, and still dabbles in tabletop games design while writing strange, fantastical and macabre tales. 

Visit Mark’s website at mark-latham.com.

Jennie Goloboy at the Donald Maass Literary Agency sold World rights to Orbit US Senior Editor Bradley Englert for The Last Vigilant plus two additional novels in the series. Senior Commissioning Editor James Long acquired for Orbit UK.

Acquisition Announcement: GREENTEETH by Molly O’Neill

Orbit is delighted to announce the acquisition of GREENTEETH, a heartwarming fantasy novel of fae, folklore and found family by debut author Molly O’Neill. It tells the story of Jenny Greenteeth – a lake-dwelling monster from British myth – and the magical quest she goes on after her peaceful existence is shattered by a witch being thrown into her lake. Packed full of adventure, magic and heart, this utterly charming debut is perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Megan Bannen and Olivia Atwater.

Read on for a taste of what’s in store:

‘The witch looked surprised to see me, her eyes blinking furiously at me through murky waters. I don’t know why she was so astonished. It was my lake she’d been thrown into; she should have expected I’d come and see if there was anyone worth eating.’

Beneath the still surface of a lake lurks a monster with needle-sharp teeth. Hungry and ready to pounce. Jenny Greenteeth has never spoken to a human before, but when a witch is thrown into her lake, something makes Jenny decide she’s worth saving.

Temperance doesn’t know why her village has suddenly turned against her, only that it has something to do with the malevolent new pastor. Though they have nothing in common, these two must band together on a magical quest to defeat the evil that threatens Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family – as well as the very soul of Britain.

Molly O’Neill is a fantasy author and engineering geologist. She was born and raised in the Cotswolds and moved to Australia in 2019. She now lives in Sydney, on the land of the Gadigal People. Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories. When not furiously scribbling ideas into a notebook Molly can be found looking intensely at rocks, paddling on the Sydney beaches, or searching for the perfect taco. Greenteeth is her debut novel.

We can’t wait to share Greenteeth with readers in 2025! In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Molly to Orbit. She can be found on Twitter @MollyONeill21

Orbit UK senior commissioning editor Emily Byron acquired World English rights from Sam Edenborough at Greyhound Literary.

Acquisition Announcement: THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig took the fantasy world by storm with her gorgeous, glittering dark gem of a debut: One Dark Window. So, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ll be publishing not one, not two, but three new books from her! First up is a brand new duology starting with The Knight and the Moth—a romantic, twisting fantasy tale of entwined fates and dark omens.

 

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. She sleeps, and dreams of seven unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

But just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral, and Sybil dreams of a moth—the death Omen. Then, one by one, the Diviners begin to vanish.

To find them, Sybil enlists the knight’s help. But the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. The seven Omens are not merely figures that visit her wakeless mind—they are real. Ancient, sorcerous, and cunning, Sybil must face each of them to recover the lost Diviners. And the knight, with whom she has become inextricably entangled, may be one of them.

 

Following that we’ll be publishing Rachel’s very first fantasy rom-com! A warm, whimsical tale of a woman cursed with bad luck who strikes up a deal with a trickster from an enchanted realm—Bad Luck incarnate himself!

Keep an eye out for The Knight and the Moth in Spring 2025, but in the meantime, read One Dark Window (US | UK) and make sure to pre-order the sequel Two Twisted Crowns (US | UK). Or visit Rachel Gillig at her website.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Praise for The Shepherd King duology:

“Thick fog, shifting alliances, and clever magic make the perfect backdrop for a sweeping romance—One Dark Window is enthralling from beginning to shocking end.” —Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

“One Dark Window is an evocative tale of romance, mystery and alluring monsters, told in beautifully lush prose. Rachel Gillig has created a story which left me entranced.” —Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

“[T]he steamy romance that emerges between Elspeth and Ravyn delights. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Naomi Novak, and Hannah Whitten will want to check this out.” —Publishers Weekly

“An enchanting tale with sharp claws and teeth—Gillig’s prose will pull you in and won’t let you sleep. Pulse-pounding, darkly whimsical, and aglow with treacherous magic, One Dark Window is everything I love in fantasy and more.” —Allison Saft, author of A Far Wilder Magic

“A beautifully dark fairy tale of blood, rage and bitter choice, that whisked me away to mist-wreathed woods ripe with romance and menace.” —Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer

“A finely detailed magical system enriches Gillig’s debut; fantasy readers will enjoy.” —Library Journal

“Readers will be enthralled with Elspeth’s—and Nightmare’s—riveting adventure.” —Booklist

Acquisition Announcement: TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli

Orbit is delighted to announce that we’ve acquired TikTok fantasy romance sensation Trial of the Sun Queen and the subsequent three books in the Artefacts of Ouranos series by Nisha J. Tuli. A Court of Thorns and Roses meets The Bachelor with a sumptuous enemies to lovers romance, these books are deliciously bingeable romantasy.

Book cover of Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli. A bronze and gold background with the type nestled by a golden mirror, glowing pendant necklace and a masquerade mask. Book cover of Rule of the Aurora King. A forest green background with the title in the centre, surrounded by a torch with purple flames, crowns and a glowing purple pendant necklace

Joelle Dieu at Hachette Book Group USA sold UK and Commonwealth rights to Commissioning editor Nadia Saward at Orbit UK, with plans to publish simultaneously with Forever. The ebooks in the first two books, Trial of the Sun Queen and Rule of the Aurora King are published today with paperbacks to follow in October this year. Fans eagerly awaiting Fate of the Sun King won’t need to wait long, as it will be publishing in Summer 2024.

Author photo of Nisha J. Tuli, sitting on a leather couch and smiling, wearing a black top

Please welcome Nisha to Orbit! You can follow her on Twitter @NishaJT and via her website.

Acquisition Announcement: New S.T. Gibson series

Orbit is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired a new series from S.T. Gibson, author of the cult Sunday Times bestseller A Dowry of Blood and the upcoming dark academia romance An Education in Malice. Her new trilogy is Wuthering Heights meets The Cruel Prince, a luscious fantasy romance set in the Scottish Highlands featuring fairy bargains, crumbling old mansions and multiple steamy romances.

Tara Gilbert at KT Literary sold World English rights in the new trilogy to Nadia Saward, Commissioning Editor at Orbit UK, in a six-figure deal. Executive Editor Brit Hvide has acquired for Orbit US and publication is planned for 2025.

A photo of S.T. Gibson in a floral dress, standing near some gothic ruins

We can’t wait to share Saint’s new series with readers in 2025, but in the meantime you can follow Saint on Twitter @s_t_gibson, on Instagram @stgibsonauthor.

Cover Launch: HOW TO BECOME THE DARK LORD (AND DIE TRYING) by Django Wexler

Orbit is excited to announce that we’ve acquired not one, but two, new series from beloved author Django Wexler! We will first be publishing a brilliant, and hilarious fantasy time-loop duology that is All You Need is Kill meets Kill the Farm Boy, where a young woman stuck in a time loop tires of defending humanity from the Dark Lord and decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

Next up, we have a space opera trilogy that reimagines The Count of Monte Cristo, in which the scions of three once-great houses plot to overthrow the Emperor and regain intergalactic power, perfect for fans of Arkady Martine and Max Gladstone’s Empress of Forever.

How to Become the Dark Lord (and Die Trying) the first book in the fantasy duology, will be published in Winter 2024. And, we already have a brilliant cover for it!

How to Become the Dark Lord (and Die Trying) by Django Wexler

Cover Design by Stephanie A. Hess

Find out more about Django on Twitter @DjangoWexler and at his website. In the meantime, check out the Burningblade & Silvereye trilogy, now complete!

Ashes of the Sun by Django Wexler Blood of the Chosen by Django Wexler Emperor of Ruin by Django Wexler

Orbit US executive editor Brit Hvide acquired North American rights from Seth Fishman at The Gernert Company.

Acquisition Announcement: THE HONEY WITCH by Sydney J. Shields

Sydney Shields
Photo Credit: Will F. H. Jones

Warm, sun-dappled queer love stories, masquerade balls, and folk magic, you say? A story about a honey witch cursed never to fall in love? To that, we say yes! A million times yes!

When we first heard this pitch on TikTok we knew immediately that we had to read the manuscript, and it was everything we’d dreamed of and more. Redhook is thrilled to have bought The Honey Witch, Sydney J. Shields’s debut novel about a honey witch cursed never to find love and the woman who she’ll risk anything to save. For fans of Practical Magic and Bridgerton we’re so excited for this book to sweep you off your feet in Summer 2024.

 

Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude is entering another season without any intentions of accepting a proposal. When her eccentric grandmother Althea visits and finally provides an explanation for Marigold’s strange magical abilities, they return to the Lake Isle of Innisfree where she begins training as a Honey Witch—an apothecary and alchemist who uses her magical connection with the bees to create enchanted honey for her spells. While this lovely power leaves her especially adept at helping others find love, it also comes with an ancient curse that none have been able to break: no one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.

When Lottie Burke, a notorious grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, accompanies her best friend to the cottage for a love spell, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. She invites Lottie and her best friend, August Owens, to stay with her for the summer to prove her abilities, but Marigold begins to care for Lottie in a way she never expected. She longs to break the curse and escape her lonely fate, but when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her freedom—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.

 

While you wait, feel free to reach out and say “hi” to Sydney at her website, on Instagram @sydneyjshields, or on TikTok @sydneyjshields.

Acquisition Announcement: BETWEEN DRAGONS AND THEIR WRATH by Devin Madson

Devin Madson
Photo Credit: Leah Ladson

Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Between Dragons and their Wrath, a new epic fantasy from Devin Madson, the Aurealis Award-nominated author of the Reborn Empire series. A rip-roaring tale full of dragons, alchemical magic, and forbidden romance, Between Dragons and their Wrath is the first book in the Shattered Kingdom trilogy that is set to be a new fan favorite.

 

Conquest long ago split the old kingdom of Paicha into city states, but there are those who seek to reunite the shattered realm—by force if necessary. Amidst the turmoil, three will find their destinies inextricably tangled.

 Tesha, a glassblower’s apprentice, becomes a false tribute bride as part of a desperate political plot. In the enemy’s court, she’s perfectly placed to sabotage them, but her heart has other plans.

 Naili is laundress to an eccentric alchemist, a job that has left her with strange new powers and a price on her head. When she joins the city’s underworld, she’ll have to choose between keeping her magic secret and changing the world.

 And in the desolate Shield Mountains, sharp-shooting dragon rider Ashadi protects the cities from the monsters of the Iipao Sands beyond, but when an impossible shot pierces his dragon’s glass scales, he becomes the hunted one.

 As war sweeps across the land, Tesha, Naili, and Ashadi must survive political enemies, long-buried secrets, and monsters both within and without. 

 

Look out for Between Dragons and their Wrath in 2024! While you wait, check out The Reborn Empire series: We Ride the Storm (US | UK), We Lie with Death (US | UK), We Cry for Blood (US | UK), and We Dream of Gods (US | UK). You can find Devin on Twitter @DevinMadson and find out more at www.devinmadson.com.

We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson We Lie with Death by Devin Madson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Cry for Blood by Devin MadsonWe Dream of Gods by Devin Madson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise for the Reborn Empire series:

“A complex tale of war, politics and lust for power.” ―The Guardian

“An exciting new author in fantasy.” ―Mark Lawrence

“Imaginative world

building, a pace that builds perfectly to a heart-pounding finale and captivating characters. Highly recommended.” —John Gwynne

“Intricate, compelling, and vividly imagined.” –Anna Stephens

 

Orbit US senior editor Nivia Evans acquired World rights from Julie Crisp at Julie Crisp Literary Agency. Orbit UK commissioning editor Emily Byron has secured UK rights.

Acquisition Announcement: THE PHOENIX KEEPER by S.A. MacLean

S.A. MacLean

Orbit US has acquired the irresistible queer debut romantasy The Phoenix Keeper by ecology professor and debut author S.A. MacLean!

This effervescent standalone is set in a magical zoo of mythical creatures and follows the academic rivals-to-lovers slow burn romance between socially anxious phoenix keeper Aila and hotshot fan-favorite griffin keeper Luciana.

Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy reads like Legends & Lattes and The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy, The Phoenix Keeper is set in a world teeming with all your favorite mythical beasties, from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens. MacLean has drawn on her formidable decade of experience in researching and teaching ecology and environmental science to weave a story of hope, courage, and conservation that is, at its heart, an ode to queer joy.

The Phoenix Keeper will hit shelves in Summer 2024. For more information, check out the press release on The Bookseller website.

Editorial Director Bethan Morgan pre-empted World All Language rights for Gollancz from John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton, with Priyanka Krishnan, senior editor, acquiring North American rights for Orbit US.